DestinationsGateway town · Northern Tanzania Hub
Arusha City
Arusha sits at the base of Mount Meru, Africa's fifth highest peak, in a green highland belt that feels nothing like the dry plains most people picture when they think of Tanzania.
- Recommended nights
- 1 night
- Best months
- Year-round
- Airstrip
- Fly-in possible
About
About Arusha City.
Arusha sits at the base of Mount Meru, Africa's fifth highest peak, in a green highland belt that feels nothing like the dry plains most people picture when they think of Tanzania. The air is cooler here, the vegetation lush, the pace unhurried. For travellers arriving on long haul international flights before heading into the wilderness, this is exactly the kind of place you want to land. Comfortable, beautiful, and quietly alive with the energy of a city that has been welcoming the world's adventurers for generations.
As Tanzania's premier safari gateway, Arusha sits within reach of some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. The national parks, conservation areas and game reserves that surround this city form a natural world so vast and varied that no single journey can cover all of it. But Arusha is not simply a transit point. The city has a food scene, a culture and a warmth that rewards those who give it even a single extra night. The Maasai market, the coffee farms climbing the slopes of Meru, the view of Kilimanjaro on a clear morning from the right rooftop terrace. These are not afterthoughts. They are part of the journey.
Whether you arrive the night before your safari departs or return here to decompress after days in the wild, Arusha holds its own. We build it into every itinerary with intention, not obligation, pairing you with accommodation that fits your pace and budget so that your first and last impressions of Tanzania are as considered as every night in between.
When to go
Best time to visit Arusha City.
- January: best
- February: best
- March: best
- April: best
- May: best
- June: best
- July: best
- August: best
- September: best
- October: best
- November: best
- December: best
Arusha is the start and end point of almost every Northern Circuit safari, and as a city rather than a park it works year round. Most travellers spend a single night here on arrival to rest after long flights before heading into the parks, or at the end of a trip before flying home.
The cool, dry months from June to October are the most pleasant, but Arusha's mild highland climate is comfortable throughout the year. It is our home base, so we know it well.
Gallery
A closer look.
On the map
Arusha City and its neighbours.
3.387° S, 36.683° E
Government fees
Fees at Arusha City.
No park entry fees apply, as this is a town, not a national park. Accommodation in town still carries the standard Tourism Development Levy (TDL) at 1% of net room rate.
Getting there
Drive times to other destinations.
Approximate dry-season drive times in a private 4×4. Legs marked as productive game viewing are themselves part of the safari experience. Long legs that need an overnight midway, or transfers we always fly, are flagged in the note column.
| Destination | Drive time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Manyara National Park | 2 hrs | Transit drive |
| Tarangire National Park | 3 hrs | Transit drive |
| Karatu | 3 hr 30 min | Transit drive |
| Ngorongoro Crater | 4 hrs | Transit drive |
| Ndutu Plains | 6 hrs | Transit drive |
| Seronera Central Serengeti | 8 hrs | Transit drive |
| Grumeti Western Serengeti | 10 hrs | Flight only, we don't drive this leg |
| Kogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River) | 12 hrs | Transit drive |
| Lamai Northern Serengeti | 12 hr 30 min | Transit drive |
Where to stay
Lodges and camps here.
Properties we work with directly. Each links to a dedicated lodge page with rooms, amenities, and best months.
Africa Safari Arusha
A practical and quiet first or last night before the northern circuit, eight kilometres outside central Arusha with Mount Meru behind the property.
- Pre Safari Overnight
- Post Safari Unwind
- Late Arrival From International Flights
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Garden cottages on a working coffee estate, five to ten minutes from Arusha Airport and the natural first or last night of a Tanzania safari.
- First Night
- Last Night
- Day Use
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Gran Meliá Arusha
Polished arrival, mountain views, Red Level service, your gateway to the northern circuit.
- Transit Nights
- Families
- Red Level Service
Kibo Palace Hotel Arusha
Seventy seven rooms around a pool and a lawn in the Uzunguni quarter of Arusha, ten minutes from the clock tower and three quarters of an hour from the airport.
- First Night In Tanzania
- Last Night Before Flying
- Business And Meetings
Mount Meru Hotel
A 178 room hotel in fifteen acres of water gardens at the foot of Mount Meru, on the edge of Arusha and the start of the northern circuit.
- Arrival Night
- Departure Night
- Families
Common questions
Questions, answered.
Why do safaris start in Arusha?
Arusha is the gateway to Tanzania's Northern Circuit, close to Kilimanjaro International Airport and within reach of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. It is where almost every northern safari begins and ends, and it is our home base.
How long should I spend in Arusha?
Usually a single night on arrival to recover from long flights before the safari begins, and sometimes another at the end before flying home. It is a practical staging point rather than a destination in itself.
What is there to do in Arusha?
Coffee farm visits, the local markets, Arusha National Park for a day walk or canoe, and cultural experiences nearby. Most guests use the time mainly to rest and prepare for the safari.
Which airport do I fly into for an Arusha safari?
Most international arrivals come through Kilimanjaro International Airport, about an hour from Arusha. Arusha also has a smaller airport used mainly for domestic and safari flights. We arrange the transfers as part of your trip.
Make it part of your trip
Plan a safari that includes Arusha City.
Tell us how long you have and what you most want to see. We'll build a custom itinerary around Arusha City with transparent pricing throughout.
Build & price your trip